Half-life 2 got very optimized after early 2004?

[The Gman]

There were many texture resolution reductions, (weapon textures, etc.) and there were better normal maps, like in these pictures. Also, some game parts recieved the optimization. Remember the 2003 hdr test video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYf8-NTzfXw The reflections looked awesome, but were cut, sadly.

[The Gman]

Is there any way to get this

without screwing vertex lit generic textures and menu?

[Frying1Pans]

The bumpmaps were significantly sometime changed between release and now, probably 2010 when HL2 was ported to EP2's engine